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// PROJECT    VERIPAGE   UPDATE
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// February 9, 2009
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Welcome to this edition of the newsletter, keeping you up-to-date on latest developments on SystemVerilog, PSL and SystemC. 

In this issue:

1. SystemVerilog Assertion Tutorial
2. Can you spot the problem?
3. Are you receiving this from a friend?
4. Have you seen our Book Store lately?
5. Let us know what you want to see on Project VeriPage

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1. SystemVerilog Assertion Tutorial

   Perhaps the most used feature of SystemVerilog today is its assertion (SVA) constructs. If you have not started using it yet, do not despair! It is easy to learn and ramp up on SVA with our SVA Tutorial. This tutorial introduces you to several fundamental principles behind SVA constructs that will help you to build a re-usable and robust assertion architecture in your environment.

   <URL: http://www.project-veripage.com/sva_1.php>

As always, this and all other articles on Project VeriPage are free. For complete list of articles, please go to:

   <URL: http://www.project-veripage.com/ >

2. Can you spot the problem?

   Vera, the smart verification engineer, wants to create a testbench where she will pass a dynamic array from SystemVerilog side to C side. Here is her code in a simplified format.

void test_c ( 
   const svOpenArrayHandle in, 
         svOpenArrayHandle out ) 
{ 
  /* do something */ 
  return; 
} 
 
import "DPI-C" context function void test_c ( 
   input bit [63:0] in[], 
   output bit [63:0] out[]
);

program test_sv; 
  bit [63:0] in[],out[]; 
  initial begin 
    in=new[1]; 
    out=new[1]; 
    in="KLATU BARADA NIKTO!"; 
    test_c(in,out); 
  end 
endprogram

   When Vera tries to compile the above code, she gets compilation problem. Can you help her to spot any problem in the above code snippet?

Tips: 
   (a) You need to know SystemVerilog DPI (<URL: http://www.project-veripage.com/dpi_tutorial_1.php>). 
   (b) Send us your answer to info@project-veripage.com. 
   (c) The answer will be published in the next issue of this newsletter.

3. Are you receiving this from a friend?

   If you are receiving this newsletter from a friend, you can get your own copy by subscribing at:

   <URL: http://www.project-veripage.com/list/?p=subscribe&id=1>

   And do not let your friends who do not receive this newsletter feel left out! Forward this to your colleague and make their day.

4. Our Book Store is now revamped

   Have you visited Project VeriPage Book Store lately? Fully revamped recently to include the new titles, we have the choicest collection of Digital Design and Verification books (including, yes, books on SystemVerilog, Verilog and PLI) from all over the place.

   <URL: http://www.project-veripage.com/books.php>

Take a look and remember, books are gifts that last a life time.

5. Let us know what you want to see on Project VeriPage

   The articles on Project VeriPage are created with _you_ in our mind. So, if you have any suggestion for improvement for us, or you want to suggest a topic for new article, write to us: info@project-veripage.com

That's all in this issue. Happy coding!

- Project VeriPage Team.